Kuay

A language of Thailand

Location

Surin, Buriram, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces: near Cambodian and Laos borders.

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Cambodia

Language NameKuay

User Population

10,000 in Cambodia. Ethnic population: 37,700 (2007 E. Pawley).

Location

Kampong Thom and Preah Vihear provinces: Sen river area; Kratié province: isolated area east of Kratié city on Mekong river; Stung Treng province: west of Mekong river.

Alternate Names

Kui, Kuy

Dialects

Kuay Ndroe (Kuy Antra), Kuay Ndua (Kuy Anthua), Kuy May (Kuy Ma’ay), Kuay Mla (Kuy Mlor), Kuy Ak, Kuay Oe.

Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Language Use

Adults only. Most shifting to Khmer [khm].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 50%.

Other Comments

Khmer [khm] used in schools. Dialects are based on the use of their word for ‘what’: Kuy Antra (northern Kompong Thom, southern Preah Vihear), Kuy Anthua (central Preah Vihear), Kuy May or Ma’ay (in Kratie), Kuy Mlor (1 village in northern Preah Vihear); only the older people still speak the last 2 dialects. Traditional religion.

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Laos

Language NameKuay

User Population

46,600 in Laos (2015 census), based on ethnicity. 34,200 monolinguals (2005).

Location

Champasak, Salavan, and Savannahkhet provinces: both sides of the Mekong river.

Alternate Names

Aouei, Cuoi, Douon, Dui, Khamen-Boran, Kouy, Kui, Kuoy, Kuy, Old Khmer, Soai, Soay, Soei, Souai, Souei, Suai, Suay, Suei, Sui, Suoi, Xuay, Xuoi

Dialects

Antra, Na Nhyang.

Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

Some young people, all adults. Also use Lao [lao].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 37%.

Other Comments

Traditional religion.

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A language of Thailand

Also spoken in:

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